Whacked

So, the truth is now revealed! Feedback is actually a closet googlewhackblattophobe intent on ridding the web of all googlewhackblatts - single words that produce just one hit in a Google search (17 July).

By hinting at the setting up of a googlewhackblatt registration site, Feedback obviously expects someone to do this, with the immediate consequence of disqualifying any googlewhackblatt referred to the site - because that will mean two instances of the word, the original and the listed.

Already, those whacks submitted to Feedback and published in the column, should they be fed through to the New Scientist site, will have ceased to be one-hit wonders. Googlewhackblattophiles of the world unite, and keep your discoveries secret.

To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.

To continue reading this article, log in or subscribe to New Scientist

App + web

Web

Smartphone

Tablet

$25.99 - Save 65%

12 issues for $2.17 per issue

with continuous service

Print + web

Print

Web

$28.99 - Save 61%

12 issues for $2.42 per issue

with continuous service

Print + app + web

Print

Web

Smartphone

Tablet

$39.99 - Save 73%

12 issues for $3.33 per issue

with continuous service

Web

Web only

$49.99

30 day web pass

Prices may vary according to delivery country and associated local taxes.